Marines Corps Adds 3D Manufacturing Support for Warfighters

The service backs up commitment to additive manufacturing with 24/7 assistance.

With the establishment of the Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell, or AMOC, at the Marine Corps Systems Command, Marines can now get round-the-clock support for 3D printing, the command announced last week.

The AMOC team will be on hand to answer questions, field requests for 3D printing, as well as “fully vet” any part that requires fabrication by a Marine organization, which includes required legal and safety reviews. The AMOC is not limited to helping with 3D printing, but can assist with all forms of manufacturing and sustainment, reported Monique Randolph, of the command's Office of Pubic Affairs.

“The Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell is a team of Marines and civilians centered on helping fleet Marines find parts they need to keep their equipment functioning efficiently,” said Capt. Matthew Friedell, USMC, AMOC project officer. “Our motto is, ‘If we can't find it, we'll make it.’ Instead of sitting and waiting for a part to come in the mail, the AMOC can try to find it, help them make it or source it through an external supply system. Then we’ll get it to Marines as fast as possible."

In addition, for bigger ideas, AMOC will help Marines tap into larger-scale systems and engineers. “We’ll help them become more innovative by giving them an outlet and a conduit to more advanced equipment training and engineering support to get them solutions faster,” Friedell said. “With the current state of manufacturing technology and digital manufacturing across the world, there's no reason Marines shouldn't be well educated on it and have access to it any time of day.”